News

PC polls should be held as early as possible – LSSP

Published

6 years ago

2021/01/3

As the pandemic will continue for considerable time

In the context of the global economic recession and the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone is looking forward to an economic, social and political revival that would usher in an era of peace, unity and equity with the dawn of the New Year.

A new SLPP-led Government was swept into power with a near two-thirds majority in the August 2020 general election. This was to support President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was elected in 2019 with a commitment to restore stability and with it a period of clean efficient governance. This should enable the country to emerge from the crisis. It will pave the way to put an end to poverty, hunger and malnutrition, unemployment and underemployment, and the uncontrolled rise of prices.

It would also put an end to the disruption and fear generated by the Covid-19 pandemic. But most of all to prevent the biggest danger of Sri Lanka’s economy being taken over through the MCC agreement.

With the closing of the MCC office in Colombo and the departure of the US staff, it would appear that the USA has given up its objectives, at least temporarily. This is a great victory for the people of Sri Lanka. The move by the Government to stop the import of what can be produced here, including luxury and non-essential items, is most welcome. It will help to reduce the loss of foreign exchange which has led to the depletion of our foreign reserves leading to massive borrowing and debt.

The long-term foreign debt crisis reached its peak during the 2015–2019 UNP Government period, and in 2019, the debt repayment amounted to US$ 4,500 million. This ate into our foreign reserves, which was only US$7,000 million. It also increased the pressure to borrow through the IMF and also look to the MCC grant, with unacceptable conditions.

While congratulating the Government for overcoming these problems without giving into these pressures, it would appear that this achievement is being undermined by various dodges and tricks being used to bring in banned imports with the connivance of some crooked officials and some others. This must be stopped as it will lead to further borrowing and Sri Lanka getting deeper into the debt trap.

It violates the Government statement that it will not borrow from abroad, and only accept foreign investment (FDI). For the latter to succeed a proper planning and investment environment has to be created, and in the plan FDI should complement our total development plan only where necessary.

For the development of the national economy, stress is correctly being placed on agriculture and food self-sufficiency. But this also requires industrial development, specially with value addition to local raw material. Unfortunately the foundation that I laid when I was Minister of Science and Technology from 2005 to 2015 is now in poor shape.

By getting back on the correct path of developing a national economy in the real interest of our country and the people, and resisting foreign imperialist pressures, the Government has paved the way to overcome some of our major problems. But sadly, some sectors that have an economic impact like the Covid-19 pandemic are being mishandled or even causing problems.

I am sorry the Minister of Health did not accept my proposals at the Health Advisory Committee Meeting in Parliament. Among others they were (a) the setting up of an All Party Leaders Committee to rally the whole country into a national movement to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and, (b) that as the Covid-19 virus had gone beyond the “cluster” stage and was spreading within the community, it was necessary to establish a community- based approach with the emphasis on intensive health education, so that everyone is protected by observing the three health rules.

As the virus cannot multiply on its own, and soon dies out unless it gets into the live cells in the human respiratory tract, if this can be effectively prevented by everyone observing the three health rules with a proper understanding, the virus would even eventually die out in Sri Lanka, unless introduced again from abroad. I hope that the rapidly spreading new variants which have appeared abroad are not allowed to enter Sri Lanka on the basis of correct policy decisions.(c) A new lifestyle based on understanding and community action, supported by digital technology, can overcome the Covid-19 problem, provided all policy decisions are science based.(d) The Government must give the lead in organizing society to operate so that crowd gathering is avoided.

The Centre/Left Governments in Sri Lanka have by and large respected democracy. Constitutionally the sovereignty rests with the people and between elections it is expressed through chosen representatives in Parliament, in the Provincial Councils and in Local Government institutions. The LSSP would like to see this extended to real empowerment of the people through Village Councils with provisions for Constitutional protection (like the Panchayats in India), and through legally empowered Workers Advisory Councils and Village Committees (chosen by secret ballot).

It is sad to see that efforts are being made to delay the Provincial Council elections on one pretext or another. Some even want to do away with them. Neither Covid-19 nor allegations of lack of funds has any validity. The officials are profiting at the expense of the people who are being deprived of their right to elect their representatives and are being oppressed, without any representatives to act on their behalf at the provincial level. The Provincial Council elections should be held as soon as possible, as the Covid pandemic will continue for considerable time.

Tamil-speaking people, after the defeat of the LTTE, see the Provincial Councils as an adequate sharing of power, given some minor modifications that were acceptable to them at the APRC, within a single unitary state. More and more of them are learning Sinhala of their own free will. Despite efforts by some politicians to rouse a sense of grievance among Tamil speaking-people, it is losing ground. Unfortunately, Sinhala Buddhist majoritarianist tendencies are providing the sense of fear that can be exploited by extremists in the Tamil-speaking society. These must stop. Let wisdom prevail.

Prof. Tissa Vitarana

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News

The President’s Fund has been transformed into a people-centred fund – PM

Published

5 hours ago

2026/07/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the President’s Fund has been transformed into a people-centred fund and that ensuring equal access to education for all children is a key policy of the Government.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on 11th of July at Temple Trees while participating in the “Sarasavi Diriya Abhiman 2026” programme, organised to recognise students with special needs pursuing university education.

The President’s Fund has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs. 100,000 each to 370 students admitted under the special needs category through the University Grants Commission, and under the first phase of the programme, cheques were presented to 236 students.

Addressing at the event, Prime Minister stated:

“It is the Government’s policy to ensure equal access to education for all children, including those with special needs, such as neurodivergent and those with autism or dyslexia, without leaving any child behind in the education system. Vice-Chancellors and other education authorities bear a responsibility to ensure that the necessary practical accessibility facilities are available to these students within universities. In addition, the Government is taking steps to digitalise the education system through assistive technologies and to develop public transport and physical infrastructure in a manner that is accessible and inclusive for persons with special needs.These students are not a burden to the country; they are valuable human resources capable of contributing to sustainable development. The ultimate objective is to build a civilised society that recognises and respects the value of every individual.

The occasion was attended by the Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage, Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, and several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Thambuttegama Water Supply Project Commissioned by the President

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/12

Priyan

The Thambuttegama Water Supply Project, which will benefit 91,810 people in the Thambuttegama, Thalawa and Galnewa Divisional Secretariat divisions, was officially commissioned by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday (10) afternoon .

The project, which was launched under a concessional loan from the China Development Bank (CDB), was suspended between May 2022 and May 2024 due to the country’s debt restructuring process. However, recognising its national importance, the current Government allocated additional funding from the Government of Sri Lanka to successfully complete the project.

Constructed as a long-term solution to the chronic kidney disease that has spread rapidly across the region, the water supply project is also expected to improve the social and economic well-being of local communities.

The project aims to provide 25,000 new household with water connections.

Built at a cost of Rs. 32 billion, the project comprises a water treatment plant with a daily capacity of 18,000 cubic metres, three water towers with a capacity of 1,500 cubic metres each, a 12.75-kilometre water transmission pipeline and a 158-kilometre water distribution network.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe said:

“The Thambuttegama Water Supply Project, which was declared open today by the President, has the capacity to provide safe drinking water to 25,000 families. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs. 32 billion. It was implemented with the assistance of the China Development Bank, but construction came to a standstill due to the economic crisis experienced in recent years. Over the past two years, we allocated funds through the national budget and have now successfully completed the project.

At the initial stage of the project, concerns were raised over drawing water from the Rajanganaya Reservoir. Farmers protested against the proposal. However, today this project is being commissioned with the blessing and support of the Rajanganaya farmer leaders, who are present here. They presented their concerns to us and we are committed to addressing them.

Their foremost concern was to ensure that no farmer in Rajanganaya would face a shortage of irrigation water as a result of water being diverted for this project. I can assure you without hesitation that there is absolutely no reason for concern. Not even a single drop of water required for agriculture will be denied in order to supply drinking water. This project is, after all, intended to provide clean drinking water to farming families themselves.

They also requested that compensation be paid if cultivation is affected due to any water-related issue. I assure you that there is no cause for concern on that front either. This Government has consistently compensated farmers affected by disasters. We paid Rs. 1.2 billion in compensation for losses suffered by farmers over the past seven cultivation seasons due to the Nilwala saltwater barrier. We also resolved long-standing issues relating to land acquisition under the Yan Oya Project and allocated Rs. 180 million to the District Secretary to compensate the affected landowners. In addition, Rs. 12 billion has been paid in compensation to around 200,000 farmers whose farmlands were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Therefore, if farmers suffer any losses or damage to their lands in the future, this Government stands ready to provide compensation.

Another request made by the farming community was the construction of the Ginipetti Bridge if water is to be drawn for this project. We have already allocated Rs. 240 million to build a new bridge capable of accommodating vehicular traffic and foundation work will commence shortly. At the same time, a team of experts has been appointed to determine whether the existing Ginipetti Bridge can be rehabilitated or whether an entirely new bridge is required. Therefore, I assure the farming community once again that we will not allow them to suffer any hardship or loss as a result of this project.”

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Jinadasa, public representatives of the province, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, officials of the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, together with a large number of local residents, were also present at the event.

[PMD]

News

New Chairman and members appointed to the Public Service Commission

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/12

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed S. A. Nimal Saranatissa as the new Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

The other members appointed to the Commission are B. Sanath Poojitha, E. R. Weerakoon, R. Ketheeswaran, J. M. R. Jayasundara, E. A. P. N. Edirisinghe, Dr S. A. A. N. Jayasekara and M. H. Mohammed Sameel.

The letters of appointment were presented to the newly appointed Chairman and members by Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat Thursday (09) afternoon .

The appointments have been made to fill the vacancies that arose following the expiry of the previous term of office of the Public Service Commission

[PMD]